Editorial: Fine-tuning strategy to bullying issues

Published 6:35 pm, Thursday, October 3, 2013

Emotions continue to run high more than a month after the suicide of Greenwich High School student Bart Palosz.

In part, these emotions are fueled by the agonizing reality that even the loss of a boy's life wasn't enough to halt bullying among children. In Stamford this week, a 12-year-old girl was charged by police with disorderly conduct for allegedly bullying a classmate at a private school.

The Greenwich tragedy appears to have shaped an exceptionally strong reaction from Stamford police in a statement they released Wednesday: "This behavior will not be tolerated by Stamford Police Department. If it is brought to our attention we will vigorously investigate the allegations and make arrests when appropriate. We investigate all claims of bullying and this type of behavior will not be condoned in a learning environment."

It's understandable that even the most poised adult would be challenged to find to right words to respond to a case in which bullying was allegedly so intense that the victim told her parents she was contemplating suicide. Still, we encourage Stamford police to turn down the volume a little. They are part of the solution to bullying, but sound a little gung-ho to march pre-teen suspects off in handcuffs.

Yes, dramatic words and threats of charges could make some youths think twice about their behavior toward their peers. But this has the feel of a witch hunt, and the child who bullies deserves attention and support as well. Scaring them does not set the ideal example.

While we take issue with the tone of the rhetoric, the direct action taken by Stamford police, parents and school officials is admirable, and certainly preferable than allowing the problem to linger. In contrast, Greenwich officials seem frozen in the national spotlight while pondering next steps in the investigation into Bart's death. It was jarring to learn from Town Attorney John Wayne Fox this week that no parents or students have yet been interviewed about Bart's experiences as a student. "We have gathered together a substantial amount of paperwork with respect to this young man and we are at a point where we are about to begin to conduct interviews," Fox said.

It is certainly a delicate investigation, but the passage of time seems to compromise the answers that will be provided by those who are to be questioned.

Stamford police were summoned on Sept. 20 and took action within two weeks. Bart's family recounts issues that took place in recent years, and Greenwich officials are still considering who they might interview.

Yes, it is a time to strive for poise as emotions run high. It also is a time to take action.